The Office Season 3 spoilers

Question: There hasn’t been any scoop on The Office since early April! Come on, Ausiello! Give us something! — Emily

Ausiello: I tried (and succeeded) to make up for lost time at NBC’s upfront Monday, where the entire cast (sans Steve Carell) was in attendance. John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer confirmed my frienemy’s report that producers shot two different endings for the season finale, but denied it was because they were waiting to see if Rashida Jones’ fall pilot was picked up. Their costar/producer B.J. Novak later backed that up, saying, “We always knew [which ending we were going to use], we just wanted to keep it a secret.” He added that the twist ending is indeed a game-changer, and one that revolves around everyone. “Next year’s going to be different,” he teased, “and you’ll see why in the finale.”

The scoop: There’s an opening at Dunder Mifflin corporate, and Michael (Steve Carell), Jim (John Krasinski) and girlfriend Karen (Rashida Jones) all want it. “Somebody does take the job,” cocreator Greg Daniels tells Us (best bet: Jim). “We’ll see more of the New York offices next year.”

Office crush: Fans rooting for Jim and Pam (Jenna Fischer) to revisit romance may be disappointed: Jones is back for Season 4, and, says Daniels, “Pam is on a journey of self-discovery. Her happiness may be more about her self-realization.”

I can’t believe your Office scoop about Karen and the two endings! Aaah! Does this mean no one knows yet whether Pam and Jim get together?

Precisely. In one ending, they get together. In one, they don’t. However, I can tell you that Pam will grow a spine and say some things she’s been dying to say (are you not loving the new, ballsy, tire-changin’ Pam?!) and that Jim will have to make a choice between them. Brian Baumgartner of Scrantonicity fame (they rule!) dishes: “Kevin plays a crucial role in determining: Pam or Karen?” Gaaah! Brian also confirms that they’ve shot “several endings,” adding, “We honestly don’t know for sure what will happen at the end. There’s a job opening at corporate, and there are several people from the Scranton branch who are vying for that job in New York.” I’m told Karen and Jim are two of the three people who want that position, which is why Rashida (Karen) was spotted shooting scenes in New York with John (Jim) just last week.

Gustavo in Provo, Utah: Do you know if Jan is pregnant on The Office? I think she’s pregnant by Michael.

There are big developments coming on the Man front. Angela Kinsey tells us, “There’s a big new twist for Michael and Jan. It’s really funny. They just keep getting a little more bent. I love that storyline, actually.”

Dani in Great Neck, New York: Any Office romance news?

Dwangela is dwiiirrrty. Angela Kinsey says this of her recent make-out scene with the Schruter: “One of the writers, Mike Schur, told me that after he watched that scene being filmed, he realized that Dwight and Angela have probably made out all over the office at different times, after hours, and it sort of makes us all look at the office in a new way. So I think they’re gonna have some more rendezvous moments—absolutely!”

Sources tell me exclusively that The Office is shooting two endings to the current season—one in which Rashida Jones (Karen) leaves the show, and one in which she stays—because it is not yet known whether Rashida is back next season.

As you may have heard, R.J. shot a comedy pilot for Fox called The Rules for Starting Over, and she won’t know until late next week whether it has been picked up. If it is, Rashida’s leaving The Office to fulfill her Rules contract. If it isn’t, she sticks around for another season to make us Jim and Pam fans miserable.

Meanwhile, how’s this for news of the maximum awesome variety? Sources tell me the rumors are true that The Office may be expanding to a full hour next season. Word is, NBC execs are seriously considering a lengthier Office on Thursday nights (perhaps signaling a move of Scrubs to ABC).

All will be revealed when the networks present their new fall schedules to advertisers the week of May 14 in NYC.

Tipster: GMMR

May 3: OfficeTally!

Spoilers for tonight’s episode, ‘Women’s Appreciation’:

Michael is confused about his personal life.

Facial hair becomes part of a prank.

You’ll see a room at Dunder Mifflin you’ve never seen before.

These spoilers are based on what I saw during my set visit back in March. They aren’t earth-shattering, but I did write them, and NBC did approve them. I hope the facial hair prank made it in to the final cut; it’s pretty funny.

Any hints you can give on what’s to come in the last episodes of the season?

Kinsey: Oh, they’re great episodes, I have to say. We have three more. Two are super-sized and our season finale is an hour-long special. One episode we go to a lake and Michael’s decided he wants to do sort of like a Survivor meets The Office to see who’s really got what it takes for leadership qualities. John Krasinski had to wear an outfit, and I will forever look at him differently, because he looked so hilarious to me. That’s about all I can say about that. Dwight and Angela have a scene. We always shoot our scenes back to back. We never look at each other, because we think we are super sleuths. We really think we’re getting away with this big secret. And in one episode coming up they wanted us to face each other as we spoke. And first of all, I know why I should never look at him, because I laughed through every take, because Rainn as Dwight is hilarious to me. But it totally changed [things], and it had this amazing dynamic the minute we faced each other. So that was a fun moment for me personally. And I can say this about the season finale: questions will be answered. There’s some big, big twists. And Jan and Michael have something big that happens to them; I’m gonna emphasize the word big.

Apr. 22: NBC Boards

Apr. 19: NBC Press Release

Synopsis for ‘Beach Games’ (May 10):

LIFE’S A BEACH — Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) is being considered for a position in corporate and has to recommend his replacement, but while the group expects a fun outing at Lake Scranton, Michael has planned a day of “Survivor”-like competitions to find his successor. Meanwhile, Pam (Jenna Fischer) is not asked to join in any of the activities and is forced to watch Jim (John Krasinski) and Karen (Rashida Jones) have fun together. Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Phyllis Smith, Ed Helms, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Brian Baumgartner and Leslie David Baker also star.

Synopsis for ‘The Job’ (May 17):

THE FINAL REVIEW IS ONE-HOUR SEASON FINALE — In a special one-hour finale, the office is still buzzing from the events of their day at the beach. A job opening in Corporate pits coworker against coworker as Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell), Jim (John Krasinski) and Karen (Rashida Jones) all head to New York for final interviews. In Scranton, Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) new regime institutes sweeping reforms, Pam (Jenna Fischer) plays an interesting role and Jan (Melora Hardin) comes in with exciting news. B.J. Novak, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein and Creed Bratton also star.

Ginny in Texas: Any hope for Jam? I want them to be together right now!
Well, the good news is that I’m hearing Karen will not be in The Office full-time next year (there are whisperings she might be sent to corporate—hurrah!), so all the Scranton stars seem to be aligning for a Jam make-out session. And if you’ve seen Blades of Glory, you know just how hot that second kiss might be. (God bless Jenna Fischer and her slobbery tongue! Funniest part of the flick, if you ask me.)

Christa in Laguna Niguel, California: Any news with The Office? I’m newly hooked!
I spoke to Oscar Nuñez at this weekend’s GLAAD Awards, where the show was nominated for the “Gay Witch Hunt” episode, and he tells me that his character’s gay relationship won’t be seen again this season. “Maybe next season. For this one I think we’re kind of done.” As for the rest of the gang? “There’ll be some movement of personnel.” Like, Karen to corporate? (Yes, I’m going crazy with anticipation of what may be!)

What is it about your role as Jan on “The Office” that really has enticed you to keep coming back to the show?

Well, they made me a regular on the show in the second season so they have me for the next five years and I just love her! I just think she’s got a lot of depth and dimension. I always describe her as a woman who has a hard exterior and a soft, gooey center. I love that her flaws are showing through. She’s got so much going on at all times, there are a least three things to play in every moment with her, so she’s a lot of meat to bite in to for an actress. I have to say, I’m madly in love with Jan Levinson, so I guess it’s a good marriage. You’re supposed to be in love with your character.

AN OFFICE IN CRISIS — The office is in crisis mode after a large shipment of Dunder-Mifflin paper is accidentally sent out with an obscene watermark. Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) tries to manage the media with an impromptu press conference. Jim (John Krasinski) and Andy (Ed Helms) try to calm the high school principal who has sent out prom invites on the affected stationary. Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, B.J Novak, Phyllis Smith, Leslie David Baker, Mindy Kaling, Rashida Jones, Creed Bratton, Oscar Nunez, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner and Kate Flannery also star.

Don’t we all? My toast is so dry and barren without Jam! But I’m 99 percent sure we get some lip-smacking Jam deliciousness by the end of the current Office season. I’m hearing that Pam continues on her path of asking for what she wants: First, the light beer, and now, the Big Tuna. Meanwhile, Karen might be headed for—drum roll, please—the Dunder-Mifflin corporate office! Or, at least, that’s the way it looks from here. So, pray to the Jam gods (Smucker’s?) that it’s true.

Everlee in London, England: Michael and Jan have become my favorite part of The Office! Any scoop you can give us on what’s coming up with them?

Melora Hardin, who plays Jan, recently told me, “[Jan] is getting wilder. She is a little kinky—I have to say, I think Jan is one of the most exciting, multidimensional characters on television.”

1,120 comments

I was wondering about the “airing of the documentary” too. I mean, it has to air sometime within the series. Hey wouldn’t it be cool if everyone at work got together in the conference room to watch the premiere of the documentary? That’s something I know a lot of people would want to see. I do anyway.

A new romantic interest for Jim? Roy trying harder? I don’t like where things are going. They lured us in with a story line, and I just suspect they’re going to pull the rug out in season 3.

And I don’t see how they could play that documentary. If everyone knew everything the film crew caught: Roy would kill Jim, Angela would die of embarrassment, Kelly would punch Ryan in the face, Michael would be in jail, Scrantonicity would break up and Dwight would be totally unaffected.

Nice job!! But why does my stomach turn at the thought of Jim having a new love interest? My prediction – Jim is heading to Stamford, where he will have another “office romance”. Downsizing brings Jimmy (and his new floozy) back to Scranton, where a now single Pam is the one with the jealous streak.

you’re so easily distracted….tanster. in your haste to post this, you completely forgot that the new character jenna asked me to create will be joining the cast in season 3.

does everyone remember the blatant lie that kevin fed us about the extra scenes that would be in one of the episode repeats? if they are going to release false info they should have creed do it. i mean we already know he steals right?

This is not really a spoiler or prediction, but I thought I would point out in the British version they didn’t have the public airing of the documentary until after the series was over and then it was an integral part of the subsequent Christmas Special.

Pretty much. For one, David Brent (the boss) even though he hated the way he was edited, took his 7.5 minutes of fame and tried to run with it, which is both sad and hilarious. Dawn (Pam) went to the States with Lee (Roy) and stayed in denial about her feelings for Tim (Jim). Tim tried to shrug off his friendship with Dawn, but now everybody knows how he feels about her. The documentary crew returns for the Christmas Special, so it’s very much the same format. Hope I didn’t give too much away!

I’ll have the UK series 1 in my hands thanks to Netflix tomorrow. Just curious, but how much does the original series spoil the US version? Do the story lines completely veer off in different directions, or are their parallels?

Oh and why do people assume Jim’s being groomed to replace Michael? I feel like I missed where that comes from.

Wow, thanks Tanster for putting this together. There are so many little tidbits everywhere, I was actually thinking of putting something like this together so I could get a grip on it all.
I thought maybe Jim would miss messing with Dwight if he transferred, but I never thought of Dwight missing Jim. I love that idea!

Well, maybe Dwight wouldn’t necessarily miss Jim but I think he would miss the attention. The only people who really talk to Dwight are Jim and Pam (Angela wouldn’t want to make a scene and although Michael talks to Dwight, he’s not very friendly at times.) I think the scene from The Injury where Jim helps Dwight and then in Conflict Resolution when he’s talking to Dwight about transferring

Wow, I never thought about them actually airing the documentary & what the reactions would be at Dunder Mifflin after they saw it.

It looks like they’ll have Jim go to the other office for a bit & I know Dwight will miss him almost as much as Pam does. Dwight would be so bored if Jim was gone & I think he likes the attention, plus Jim will be bored at the new place without Pam and no Dwight to pull pranks on to occupy his time.

All I know is they can’t do a Jim/Jan hook-up because they don’t have a cute couples name like “Jam” Or “Dwangela”! I mean it would just be “Jan” or “Jim”…not very original.